Desktop Insert

ABSTRACT

A desktop insert to be installed at an opening formed in a desktop and in which can be stored stationery supplies, electronic devices or hanging files so as to provide for a better use and organization of desktop space. The desktop insert includes a removable storage tray that is suspended below the desktop for receipt of the stationery supplies or electronic devices. Wire routing openings are provided through the desktop insert to enable an electronic device in the storage tray to be connected to a computer seated on the desktop or to a source of power. When the storage tray is removed, one or more hanging files can be suspended from the desktop insert so as to lie below the desktop for receipt of a corresponding number of paper files, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a desktop insert to be installed at a desktopand in which to store at an out-of-the-way location below the desktopstationery supplies and/or a variety of electronic devices to be chargedor connected to a computer laying on the desktop. In the alternative,the desktop insert is adapted to receive one or more conventionalhanging files as part of a hanging file storage system.

2. Background Art

With the advent of smaller portable and desktop computers, it is notuncommon to find such a computer sitting on a desktop alongside avariety of books, papers, pens, peripherals, electronic equipment, andthe like. By way of example, in addition to the computer, a set offiles, a cell phone, a digital player, a digital memory device, etc. mayfind their way onto the desktop. As a consequence of the foregoing, thedesktop may become cluttered resulting in an inefficient use of desktopspace. Moreover, many electrical wires and cables may stretch over thedesktop so that the peripherals and electronic equipment can beconnected to the computer or to an electrical power receptacle when theequipment is being charged. Therefore, it may be difficult to quicklyand easily access particular files and work-related accessories whenneeded. What is more, there may be little or no additional free spaceavailable on the desktop should there be a need to use other largeequipment (e.g., a printer) or reference more books and files.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a means by which to locatecertain stationery supplies, electronic equipment and hanging files at areadily-accessible, out-of-the-way location so as to create a neat andorganized desktop appearance and provide a more efficient use of desktopspace.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in general terms, a desktop insert is disclosed to beinstalled at a desktop and in which to store at a readily-accessible,out-of-the-way hidden location below the desktop stationery supplies,one or more hanging files or a variety of electronic devices to becharged or connected to a computer sitting on the desktop. By virtue ofthe foregoing, clutter can be better avoided to reduce wire runs andachieve an efficient use of desktop space and a neat and organizeddesktop appearance.

According to a preferred embodiment, the desktop insert includes a lowerfile receiving base, an intermediate storage tray, and an upper cover.The lower file receiving base includes an open drop-through windowwithin which to receive the storage tray. A cover seat is located ateach end of the file receiving base. A hanging file rail extends acrosseach end of the base inwardly of the cover seat. The intermediatestorage tray has a closed bottom and an open top by which to receive andhold stationery supplies and/or a number of electronic devices (e.g., acell phone or a digital camera) to be charged from an electrical wallreceptacle or to be connected to the computer on the desktop. Thestorage tray is moved downwardly into and through the drop-throughwindow of the lower file receiving base such that bent ears formed atopposite ends of the tray are located over respective ones of thehanging file rails of the base. The upper cover is laid upon the coverseats of the file receiving base to extend over top the storage tray tothereby close the desk top insert. The upper cover has wire routingopenings formed at opposite ends thereof.

The assembled desktop insert is installed in a correspondingly sized andshaped opening formed through the desktop. That is, the lower filereceiving base is mounted within the desktop opening, the intermediatestorage tray is removably received by the file receiving base, and theupper cover is placed across the storage tray. Wires or cables from anyelectronic devices located in the storage tray are connected to thecomputer on the desktop by way of the wire routing openings through theupper cover. When the intermediate storage tray and the upper coverthereover are removed from the lower file receiving base, one or morehanging files can be moved downwardly and through the drop-throughwindow and suspended from the file receiving base. In this case,supporting hooks which run across the tops of the hanging files arepositioned over and supported from the hanging file rails at the ends ofthe file receiving base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a desktop insert according to a preferredembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the desktop insert of FIG. 1 in theassembled configuration;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the desktop insert of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the desktop insert of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates the desktop insert in the assembled configuration ofFIG. 2 being moved towards and into receipt by an opening formed in adesktop;

FIG. 6 shows the desktop insert of FIG. 5 located within the desktopopening;

FIG. 7 shows an upper cover removed from the desktop insert afterinstallation of the insert at the desktop with an electronic devicelocated within the insert and electrically connected to a computerlaying on the desktop;

FIG. 8 shows the upper cover of FIG. 7 attached to the desktop insertover the electronic device and a wire running from the electronic devicewithin the insert to the computer laying on the desktop; and

FIG. 9 shows a set of hanging files being moved towards and into receiptby the desktop insert at the desktop.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A desktop insert 1 according to a preferred embodiment of this inventionis initially described while referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings. Aswill soon be explained, the insert 1 is adapted to be installed at adesktop (designated 50 in FIGS. 5-9) to enable stationery supplies aswell as certain electronic devices and accessories which are to becharged from a source of power or electrically connected to a computeron the desktop to be relocated off the desktop and stored at anout-of-the-way and out-of-sight location below the desktop. In thismanner, the usable free space that is available on the desktop will bemaximized in order to create a clutter-free area at which to placebooks, papers, a printer, etc. that are needed when the computer isoperated.

The desktop insert 1 includes a lower file receiving base 3, anintermediate storage tray 5, and an upper cover 7. The file receivingbase 3, storage tray 5 and cover 7 can be manufactured from plastic(e.g., nylon or polypropylene) or any other suitable material. However,the material from which the aforementioned components of the desktopinsert 1 are manufactured is not to be considered a limitation of thisinvention. As will also soon be explained, the lower base 3,intermediate tray 5, and upper cover 7 of desktop insert 1 aredetachably connected to one another and removably received by thedesktop (50 of FIGS. 5-9) in order to better manage the usable area onthe desktop.

The lower file receiving base 3 of desktop insert 1 includes apreferably rectangular frame 9 which surrounds an open drop-throughspace or window 10. A peripheral lip 12 which runs around the window 10projects outwardly from the top of the frame 9. A cover seat 14 extendsinwardly from the peripheral lip 12 at each end of the frame 9. Ahanging file rail 16 extends laterally across each end of the frame 9inwardly of a cover seat 14. The hanging file rails 16 are spaced fromthe cover seats 14 by gaps 18 (only one of which being visible inFIG. 1) which lie at opposite ends of the drop-through window 10.

The intermediate storage tray 5 of desktop insert 1 includes arectangular housing 20. The housing 20 of intermediate storage tray 5 issized and shaped to be received downwardly and through the drop-throughwindow 10 of the frame 9 of the lower file receiving base 3. That is tosay, the housing 20 of the storage tray 5 is surrounded by the frame 9of file receiving base 3 in the assembled configuration of the desktopinsert 1 (best shown in FIG. 2).

A hook-shaped ear 22 bends outwardly and downwardly from each end of thehousing 20 of the storage tray 5. In the assembled configuration (ofFIG. 2), when housing 20 is received through the window 10 of frame 3,the hook-shaped ears 22 of housing 20 are positioned over the hangingfile rails 16 of frame 9 and into the gaps 18 thereof between rails 16and cover seats 14. Accordingly, the intermediate storage tray 5 will besuspended from the lower file receiving base 3 when the ears 22 ofhousing 20 are moved into surrounding engagement with the hanging filerails 16 of frame 9.

The housing 20 of the intermediate storage tray 5 has pairs ofupstanding side walls 24 and end walls 26. The top of the housing 20 isopened. The bottom 28 of the housing 20 of the intermediate storage tray5 is closed to establish a compartment within which to receive and storeat an out-of-the-way and out-of-sight location with respect to thedesktop stationery supplies as well as any one or more of a variety ofelectronic devices including, but not limited to, a cell phone, PDA,digital camera, memory stick, power strip, etc. that are to be eithercharged from a remote source of AC power or coupled to a computer layingon the desktop. A hole 30 (best shown in FIG. 4) is formed in the closedbottom 28 of housing 20 to receive therethrough one or more electricalwires (not shown) to be connected to a remote source of power. A set ofrelatively narrow wire catching slots 32 are distributed around andproject radially outwardly from the hole 30. The wire catching slots 32permit a corresponding set of relatively wide plugs or terminal ends ofthe electrical wires to be captured and held in place within thecompartment of the storage tray 5 so as to be ready for connection torespective electronic devices. The electrical wires connected to theterminal ends that are captured by the wire catching slots 32 willthusly be prevented from dropping downwardly and falling out of thestorage tray 5.

The upper cover 7 of the desktop insert 1 includes a generally flat lid36 that is sized and shaped to fit within the housing 9 of the lowerfile receiving base 3 so as to lie over and close the open top of thehousing 20 of the intermediate storage tray 5. More particularly,opposite ends of the lid 36 of cover 7 are laid upon and supported atrespective ones of the cover seats 14 at opposite ends of the lower filereceiving base 3. A wire routing opening 38 is formed at each end of thelid 36 of cover 7. As is best shown in FIG. 7, the wire routing openings38 enable wires or cables from any electronic devices being storedinside the compartment of intermediate storage tray 5 to be fed throughthe cover 7 and connected to a computer on the desktop. Moreover, thewire routing openings 38 through the cover 7 and the hole 30 through theclosed bottom 28 of the housing 20 of storage tray 5 cooperate toestablish a wire routing path for a wire or cable to be connectedbetween the computer or any other electronic device on the desktop and aremote source of power.

FIGS. 2-4 of the drawings show the desktop inset 1 in the assembledconfiguration ready for installation at a desktop. Referringconcurrently now to FIGS. 1-4, the assembled configuration is achievedwhen the intermediate storage tray 5 is removably received by (i.e.,dropped into) the lower file receiving base 3 through the open window 10thereof so that housing 20 lies below frame 9 and the ears 22 at theends of tray 5 are positioned over and supported by the hanging filerails 16 at the ends of the lower file receiving base 3. The desktopinsert 1 is closed when the upper cover 7 is laid over top theintermediate storage tray 5 that is suspended from the lower filereceiving base 3 (at rails 16) such that the opposite ends of the coverlid 36 are removably received against the cover seats 14 at oppositeends of the lower base 3.

FIG. 5 of the drawings shows a desktop 50 common to a home or officedesk. It is within the scope of this invention that desktop 50 is atabletop rather than a desktop. A generally rectangular opening 52 ismachined through the desktop 50 to conform to the size and shape of thedesktop insert 1. A grooved edge 54 is formed (e.g., routed) around theopening 52 to establish a shelf upon which to receive and support theinsert 1. The desktop insert 1 is lowered towards the desktop 50 to bereceived through the opening 52 thereof.

When the desktop insert 1 has been moved into and through the opening52, the peripheral lip 12 which projects outwardly from the top of theframe 9 of the lower file receiving base 3 is seated upon the groovededge 54 which surrounds the desktop opening 52. Thus, the desktop insert1 will be suspended from and extended below the desktop 50 when the lip12 of base 3 is laid against the edge 54. As shown in FIG. 6 of thedrawings, the lid 36 of the upper cover 7 which closes the desktopinsert 1 lies substantially flush with the desktop 50 once the insert 1has been installed therein as just explained.

As previously described, a variety of electronic devices and stationerysupplies can be stored within the intermediate storage tray 5 (ofFIG. 1) of desktop insert 1 so as to be moved off the desktop 50 and outof the way of a computer in order to keep the desktop 50 uncluttered andfree for other use. FIG. 7 of the drawings shows the lid 36 of the uppercover 7 removed from the lower base 3 of insert 1 and an electronicdevice 56 stored within the intermediate storage tray 5. The device 56is interconnected to a computer 60 on the desktop 50 by means of a wire58 running therebetween. As shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, when theupper cover 7 is returned to insert 1 to close the top thereof, the wire58 from the device 56 of FIG. 7 can be fed through one of the wirerouting openings 38 at the ends of the lid 36 of cover 7 to enable thedevice 56 to communicate with the computer 60 without the device 56having to consume desktop space. Thus, long wire runs and entanglementson the desktop 50 can be better avoided.

Turning now to FIG. 9 of the drawings, the lower file receiving base 3of the desktop insert 1 is shown mated to the desktop 50. However, theintermediate storage tray 5 and the upper cover 7 have been liftedupwardly and removed from lower base 3. In this case, the lower filereceiving base 3 is adapted to receive one or more conventional hangingfiles 62 of the kind having a supporting hook 64 running across the topand a jacket 66 hanging down from the hook 64 in which to receive apaper file or the like.

Referring concurrently in this regard to FIGS. 1 and 9, the hangingfiles 62 are moved downwardly towards the desktop 50 until the jackets66 thereof are received through the open drop-through window 10 of thelower file receiving base 3. The opposite ends of the supporting hook 64of each hanging file 62 are laid over and supported by the hanging filerails 16 at opposite ends of file receiving base 3. Such opposite endsof supporting hook 64 bend around the rails 16 to be removably receivedwithin the gaps 18 (best shown in FIG. 1) located between rails 16 andcover seats 14 at each end of the lower file receiving base 3.Individual hanging files 62 may be coupled to and suspended (or removed)from the file receiving base 3 in this manner on an as-needed basis.

It may thusly be appreciated that the lower file receiving base 3 ofdesktop insert 1 provides a dual function of being mounted upon adesktop 50 at an opening 52 formed therein to removably receive andsupport either the intermediate storage tray 5 (and the upper cover 7extending thereover) to establish a closed storage compartment or one ormore of the hanging files 62 to establish a hanging file storage systemwhereby to advantageously reduce clutter and provide a space-efficientdesktop appearance. In either case, the storage tray 5 and the hangingfiles 62 will be hidden from view relative to the desktop once the uppercover 7 is returned to the lower base 3.

1. A desktop insert to be attached to a desktop at an opening formedtherein, said desktop insert including a storage tray having an open topand a bottom for receiving and storing at least one article, the bottomof said storage tray moving downwardly and through the opening formed inthe desktop such that said bottom lies below the desktop.
 2. The desktopinsert recited in claim 1, also including a base having an open top, abottom and a lip projecting outwardly from said top, the bottom of saidbase moving downwardly and into the opening formed in the desktop priorto the bottom of said storage tray being moved downwardly and throughsaid opening, such that the lip at the top of said base is seated uponsaid desktop, said storage tray being received within and mated to saidbase by way of the open top of said base.
 3. The desktop insert recitedin claim 2, wherein the bottom of said base is open, said storage traybeing received within said base such that the bottom of said tray movesdownwardly through and past each of the open top and the open bottom ofsaid base.
 4. The desktop insert recited in claim 3, wherein saidstorage tray has an ear extending from each of the opposite ends thereofand said base has a catch located at each of the opposite ends thereof,said storage tray being received within and moving downwardly throughsaid base such that the catches of said base engage the ears of saidtray, whereby said tray is suspended from said base so that the bottomof said tray lies below the bottom of said base.
 5. The desktop insertrecited in claim 4, wherein the storage tray is removable from said basewhen the ears of said tray are lifted upwardly and away from the catchesof said base.
 6. The desktop insert recited in claim 5, wherein thecatches located at the opposite ends of said base are hanging rails,said hanging rails adapted to receive and support a hanging filetherebetween when said storage tray is first removed from said base andthe hanging file is then moved downwardly through the open top and openbottom of said base.
 7. The desktop insert recited in claim 2, alsoincluding a cover extending across and closing the open top of saidstorage tray after said tray is received in and mated to said base. 8.The desktop insert recited in claim 7, wherein said cover is removablefrom the top of said storage tray in order to place within or remove theat least one article from the tray.
 9. The desktop insert recited inclaim 8, wherein the at least one article stored within said storagetray is an electronic device and wherein said top has at least one wirerouting opening formed therein through which to receive an electricalwire from the electronic device stored within said storage tray forconnection to a different electronic device seated on the desktop. 10.The desktop insert recited in claim 7, wherein said base has a coverseat located at each of the opposite ends thereof, said cover layingupon the cover seats of said base so as to extend across and close theopen top of said storage tray.
 11. The desktop insert recited in claim1, wherein the bottom of said storage tray is closed, said closed bottomhaving a hole formed therein and at least one wire catching slotprojecting from said hole, said hole adapted to receive therethrough anelectrical wire having a terminal end to be captured and held in placeby said wire catching slot.
 12. The combination comprising: a desktop,said desktop having an opening formed therethrough; and a desktop insertbeing moved into the opening in said desktop such that said insert isattached to and suspended from said desktop, said desktop insertincluding a compartment in which to store at least one electronic deviceat a location below said desktop, said desktop insert also including atleast one wire routing opening through which to receive an electricalwire to be connected from the electronic device below said desktop to asource of electrical power or to a different electronic device locatedon said desktop.
 13. The combination recited in claim 12, wherein thereis a groove formed in said desktop around the opening therein, saiddesktop insert being attached to said desktop within said groove,whereby a portion of said desktop insert is located substantially flushwith said desktop.
 14. The combination recited in claim 12, wherein thecompartment of said desktop insert is a storage tray having a closedbottom and an open top, said storage tray being located below saiddesktop to removably receive and store the at least one electronicdevice.
 15. The combination recited in claim 14, wherein said desktopinsert also includes a base having a frame surrounding an opendrop-through window, said frame moving downwardly and into engagementwith said desktop at the opening formed therein, and the storage tray ofsaid desktop insert moving downwardly and into engagement with saidbase, the closed bottom of said tray moving downwardly through thedrop-through window surrounded by the frame of said base.
 16. Thecombination recited in claim 15, wherein said desktop insert alsoincludes a top extending across and covering the open top of saidstorage tray after said tray is moved downwardly and into engagementwith said base.
 17. The combination recited in claim 16, wherein saidwire routing opening is formed through said top.
 18. The combinationrecited in claim 16, wherein the frame of said base has a cover seatlocated at each of the opposite ends thereof, said top laying upon saidcover seats so as to extend across and cover the open top of saidstorage tray.
 19. The combination recited in claim 15, wherein there area pair of hanging file rails located at opposite ends of said base andextending laterally across the frame thereof adjacent said drop-throughwindow.
 20. The combination recited in claim 19, further comprising atleast one hanging file having a jacket and a hanging hook attached tosaid jacket, said storage tray being moved upwardly and out ofengagement with said base such that the closed bottom of said storagetray is removed from the drop-through window surrounded by the housingof said base, whereupon the jacket of said at least hanging file ismoved through said drop-through window and the hanging hook attached tosaid jacket is moved into surrounding engagement with the hanging filerails of said base, whereby said hanging file is suspended from saidhanging file rails.